Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addresses National Guard and law enforcement personnel during a visit to the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, D.C., Sept. 10, 2025. About 2,300 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Renee Seruntine)

February 03, 2026 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has once again warned Tehran that the Pentagon is “more than prepared” to take action if Iran refuses to negotiate over its nuclear program.

“The President’s been clear from the beginning, as he was before Midnight Hammer. Iran will not have nuclear weapons capability. And so they can either negotiate on that front, or we have other options,” Hegseth said on February 2, speaking to reporters on a trip to Florida.

Stressing that military action is not the preferred option, the defense secretary added: “[US President Donald Trump] doesn’t want to go that route, I don’t want to go that route, but our job is to be prepared, and so of course we are, we’re more than prepared.”